Profile: Senator Richard C. Shelby

Senator Richard ShelbyPlace of birth: Birmingham

Hometown: Tuscaloosa

Career: Alabama's Senior Senator; elected to the U.S. Senate, 1986; U.S. Congressman, 1979 - '87; State Senator, 1970 - '78; Special Assistant State Attorney General, 1969 - '71; U.S. Magistrate, 1966 - '70; Tuscaloosa City Prosecutor, 1963 - '71; private law practice, 1963 - '78

Accomplishments and Priorities: Secured more than $100 million for Auburn University; ranking member and former chairman of the Senate Banking Committee; Senior Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and ranking member and former chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science; leading advocate for a flatrate tax system; proponent of reforms to U.S. intelligence capabilities passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; fought for legislation that now allows every American to receive a free annual credit report; authored legislation making it more difficult for parents to avoid paying child support; each letter from his office includes a printed photo of a missing child in an effort to locate that child.

Hobbies: Reading, spending time with his grandchildren, hunting

Education: B.A., University of Alabama, 1957; LL.B., University of Alabama School of Law, 1963